Editor's note: Deputy Mike Ascolese wrote the following tribute to his former colleague for the "Star News," published by the L.A. County Sheriff's Department, and shared it with Signal readers:

"I got the phone call just as my shift was starting (Thursday). Deputy Robert Rodriguez Corrales had died peacefully at his home just minutes before. I knew his time left was limited, but you are never prepared for that kind of news.

"As I was writing this article I received another phone call, this one from a citizen asking where his friend could get tested for a bone marrow match, as he was of Mexican and Asian decent. The guy was devastated when I told him Bobby had passed away this morning.

"Robert Rodriquez Corrales: born Jan. 14, 1952, died April 23, 2009. That is pretty much all the information you see engraved into a headstone. There just is not enough room to eloquently put all the words to describe this particular individual.

"Bobby will be remembered as a husband, father, son, brother, coach, baseball player, co-worker, prankster, friend, neighbor, and a cop. He was the guy everyone liked and always will.

"Bobby fought Acute Myloid Leukemia aggressively. Unfortunately all medical treatments failed to work.

"When he left the hospital for the final time, Bobby went to see his son Josh pitch for the Long Beach State University Dirtbags. Josh, a freshman pitcher, was brought in to the game in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs. Josh got the batter to hit into a fielder's choice, earning his first official collegiate save. He then signed a baseball and ran it out from the field to his father, who had been proudly watching his son wrap up the 5-2 victory over the California State University Northridge Matadors.

"Bobby grew up in Pacoima and San Fernando. He attended College of the Canyons, where he played his favorite sport, baseball. He was recruited by Pepperdine University, where he later played, wearing his familiar number 11 jersey. All the Corrales athletes carry on the tradition of wearing number 11 when they take the field. Bobby also played for a time in the Mexican Baseball League.

"Later he became a coach, sharing his expertise with future generations of ball players. Bobby continued playing baseball and softball, including in many Departmental tournaments. He even started a softball team which was named The Wongs, after characters in the 1979 movie 'The Wanderers.'

"Bobby was sworn in as a Los Angeles County Marshal on Jan. 12, 1984. He later became a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy when the two departments merged in 1994. He toiled at the Van Nuys Court for many years before transferring to the Santa Clarita Court. Whether he was decked out in tan or tan and green, Bobby was a great deputy. Everyone of his co-workers will attest to that.

"Yesterday a friend of the Corrales family stopped by to visit Bobby. He is a high school baseball player and he presented Bobby a very special baseball. It was the ball that he had hit for his first grand slam home run. He wanted Bobby to have it. When Bobby passed away the following morning, he was still clutching that baseball in his hand.

"Bobby is survived by his mother, Grace, his wife, Olga, his sons, Robert Jr., Kirk, Josh and Zachary, his brothers, Joe Jr., Raymond and Rudy, his sisters, Norma and Pat, his grandchildren, Edward and Mia, and numerous extended family members.

"Bobby, you will always be honored and remembered by all the members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

"The Corrales family wished to extend their heartfelt thanks to all of Bobby's friends, co-workers and Departmental members for all their love and support."